The camp was formally inaugurated by Director, Healtha

The camp was formally inaugurated by Director, Health Services, U.T., Chandigarh, Dr. Chander Mohan. The DHS took stock of the Health situation in this area and discussed with the CSACS officers, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the high risk groups. He suggested measures to contain the problem in Intravenous Drug Users. In Chandigarh only 0.4% of Female Sex Workers have HIV/AIDS whereas there is 14% prevalence amongst Intravenous Drug Users.

Project Director, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society, Dr. Vanita Gupta explained that Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society has recently adopted the areas of Butrela and Badheri under Project Foundation Programme after successfully achieving the project plan in village Burail and Attawa. The target is to completely sensitize these villages on issues regarding HIV/AIDS, so that the residents are able to protect themselves from this disease and Stigma against People Living with HIV/AIDS is removed. Special stress is being laid on reaching out to Out of School Youth.

The Mobile ICTC Centre for free HIV/AIDS counseling and Testing & syphilis screening tested 56 nos. of Blood samples. During counseling Women were encouraged to talk about STI/RTI, HIV/AIDS & adolescent health issues and their body ‘without shame’. Other activities included distribution of health kits for personal hygiene, pamphlets with guidelines for healthy living. A Street play to demonstrate importance of health and hygiene and HIV/AIDS awareness was staged